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NASA Eyes March 19–20 Artemis II Rollout to Keep April 1 Launch Option

A replaced flight‑termination wiring harness cleared the path for pad operations.

Overview

  • NASA said the SLS/Orion stack could depart the Vehicle Assembly Building on March 19 or 20, with a final timing decision set for March 18.
  • The 4‑mile trip to Launch Pad 39B will take up to roughly 12 hours on the crawler‑transporter, and the agency plans live coverage of the move.
  • Managers say either rollout date preserves an April 1 launch attempt, with additional opportunities through April 6 and April 30.
  • Engineers recently swapped an electrical harness linked to the core stage flight‑termination system and completed related closeout work in the VAB.
  • Earlier February issues— a liquid hydrogen leak and a helium flow interruption—prompted repairs and checks that led to a tentative April target after a flight readiness review.